Citizens Action of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Labor Council have enlisted a traveling band of seniors to follow Paul Ryan’s every move while he conducts town halls across the state.

“They have been and they will be trailing all his listening sessions and do their best to get themselves heard. They’re speaking out against this insane plan,” said Sheila Cochran, secretary for the Milwaukee Labor Council. “I don’t think Paul Ryan has a clue about the people he’s affecting … his plan could literally kill people.”

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POLITICO 44

Ryan’s town hall meetings have seen record turnout with crowds both booing and cheering him on. Cochran said the level of activism in the state was so high because of Gov. Scott Walker’s decision to strip unions of their bargaining rights. She said the congressman and the governor “play by the same book.”

“The only difference between the two is that there is someone who can stop Paul Ryan,” she said.

Cochran said people were eager to volunteer and attend the town halls.

“They were livid about what they were hearing … and in Wisconsin we showed people it was OK to fight back and not be afraid to make your voice heard.”

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 5:58 p.m. on April 28, 2011.

Readers' Comments (93)

Don't want to question the "seniors" mental capacity, but Ryan's Plan would not affect them. They were misinformed by the union thugs, then sent on their angry way.

What they should fear is Obamacare spends the same $500 BILLION twice! The $500 BILLION is TAKEN FROM MEDICARE! Then the $500 billion taken away from seniors on Medicare is spent again to fund Obamacare. Sound crazy? It is Voo Doo Economics resurrected.

These seniors must realize that without Ryan plan-like reform, there won't be any Medicare for their children and grandchildren ANYWAY. Under Obamacare, Medicare is cannibalized so scarce medical dollars can be redirected to younger workers under Medicaid, a burgeoning population that grows exponentially every year.

A plan that reforms Medicare to sustain it well into the future, coupled with economic policies that incentivize growth and expansion, has a chance to work. Obamacare does not have a chance to work, most especially for seniors. They should read the fine print on what it's many panels, commissions and committees will do to senior care, and how treatments will be allocated. It should chill senior citizens to the bone.

Everything these seniors are saying about Ryan's plan is exactly what Obamacare will do to their healthcare. They seem to think they will be getting free, gold-plated, abundant Medicare for the next 100 years under Obamacare. Boy, are they in for a let down.

Now, there's nothing written in stone that Ryan's is the only alternative. Do any of these audience yellers have any proposals? How would they improve on Medicare so that it is protected from Obamacare, and survives for the next generation? It's easy to yell and scream don't take my benefits, but reality dictates we must make grown-up decisions. Ryan should ask these people what their ideas are to keep Medicare sustainable, without bankrupting the country and collapsing our whole economy.

Frankly, I'm getting a little testy about continuing to pay in for their free benefits when I know I will never see a dime of Medicare in the future, if they continue to fight smart reform. They need to educate themselves about the impact of Obamacare, too.

Whether we like it or not something has to change. If we continue to borrow at the rate were borrowing our entire GDP will go to interest on our massive debt. Nobody wants to touch medicaid .medicare or social security but with out looking at changes in these entitlements we will never get this deficit under control. I don't have the answers but I know we can't go on like this. As it is now 53% of working Americans are paying all the bills in this country. Share the sacrfice I agree. Not only raise taxes on the wealthy but on everybody. For 47% of the American people reaping the benefits of the goverment programs they should also pay some tax. I think if it were their money being paid in taxes they would be more interested in how this country spends money.

Those attended town hall meetings during the healthcare debate came out on their own. Those attending these town hall meetings are being brought by the unions. They don't seem to know anything about the plan except they repeat the lefts talking points.

The big problem with RyanCare is that it turns over medical care to private corporations. We all know about how private insurance companies have bilked their clients with caps on catastrophic illnesses and denying care to people with pre-existing conditions. What makes's you think they won't do the same to old people? Have you seen "Sicko"? Or are you too cowardly to face reality?

If I hear "union thugs" once more, I will SCREAM! Can't you right-wing nuts do your own thinking????

Gotta give it to these unions - they try to hard so they can jump up just once and say "lookie me, I did it." Of course, it is the paying members dues they are tossing away, even if it envolves using foreign money.